X-ray

An X-ray, or radiograph, uses beams of electromagnetic radiation to take pictures of the structures inside the body. Dense structures like bone, metal or contrast dye block most of the radiation particles and appear white. Softer tissue, like muscle and fat, appear as shades of gray. Pockets of air - such as breaks in a bone - appear as black. X-ray technology is used alone and also in other diagnostic tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and fluoroscopy.

At Lancaster General Health, X-rays are performed by technologists certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).